Hydrocarbon

The term hydrocarbon refers to the most basic type of organic molecules. As suggested by their name, they are comprised of only 2 elements: hydrogen and carbon.[1] Hydrocarbon molecules have one or more central carbon atoms in a branched or chain-like structure, surrounded by hydrogen atoms. There are four main categories of hydrocarbons: Alkanes, Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic hydrocarbons.[2]

Structure

The simplest hydrocarbons are called alkanes. Alkanes are made exclusively with single bonds between the carbon atoms. Figure 1 shows some small alkane molecules - notice that all the C-C bonds are single bonds. This means that all carbons in an alkane have a tetrahedral geometry. The examples in Figure 1 are all "straight chain" alkanes, where the central carbons form a single linear chain. Alkanes may also be branched [3] or cyclic [4], and can contain any number of carbon atoms.

Figure 1 The smallest hydrocarbons.[5]

Similar in structure to alkanes, alkenes are hydrocarbons where the central carbon chain contains at least one double bond between carbon atoms, and alkynes contain at least one triple bond. Also commonly seen are hydrocarbon derivatives, where atoms other than carbon or hydrogen are present.[1] For example in an alkyl halide, a hydrogen from an alkane is replaced by a halogen atom such as chlorine or bromine.

Hydrocarbons and their derivatives are the main constituents of fossil fuels, and release energy through combustion. Besides their fuel applications, hydrocarbons are also used in chemical synthesis and are major components of lubricating oils, greases, solvents, fuels, wax, asphalts, cosmetics, and plastics.[6] These non-fuel applications of hydrocarbons can be of great importance to society and the economy.

Sources

The main source for hydrocarbons is through fractional distillation of fossil fuels, especially petroleum. However, researchers are investigating alternate and renewable sources, such as converting used frying oil (usually plant-based) to biodiesel [7], or reclaiming waste oils from industrial processes [8]

To learn more about Hydrocarbons, check out the UC Davis Chem Wiki.

For Further reading

Check out the specific types of hydrocarbons:

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 R. Nave. "Hydrocarbons." Internet: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/organic/hydrocarbon.html , [October 25, 2013].
  2. "Hydrocarbons - Chemistry LibreTexts", Chem.libretexts.org, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://chem.libretexts.org/Core/Organic_Chemistry/Hydrocarbons. [Accessed: 07- Jun- 2018].
  3. "Branched Alkanes - Chemistry LibreTexts", chem.libretexts.org, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_Chemistry/Book%3A_Introductory_Chemistry_(CK-12)/25%3A_Organic_Chemistry/25.03%3A_Branched_Alkanes . [Accessed: 14-Jun-2019].
  4. "Cyclic Hydrocarbons - Chemistry LibreTexts", chem.libretexts.org, 2019. [Online]. Available:https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_Chemistry/Book%3A_Introductory_Chemistry_(CK-12)/25%3A_Organic_Chemistry/25.06%3A_Cyclic_Hydrocarbons. [Accessed: 14-Jun-2019].
  5. D. Darling. "Alkanes." Internet: http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/A/alkane.html, [October 26, 2013]
  6. R.D. Botts, D.M. Carson, and D.Coglon. "Petroleum in our live" in Our petroleum challenge, 8th ed. Calgary:Canadian Center for Energy Development, 2013, pp. 7-15.
  7. "Used and Waste Oil and Grease for Biodiesel", J. Van Gerpen, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://farm-energy.extension.org/used-and-waste-oil-and-grease-for-biodiesel/. [Accessed: 14-Jun-2019].
  8. "Forging New Sources for Biofuels and Hydrocarbon-Based Products", albertainnovates.ca, 2018. [Online] Available: https://albertainnovates.ca/project/forging-new-sources-for-biofuels-and-hydrocarbon-based-products/, [Accessed: 14-Jun-2019].